I have been frustrated with this process too since day one of 2.0. Having caps/lockouts in games where you have to create a new character in order to play a different job/class makes sense. But being able to play all jobs but only gear up a couple does not IMO. The lockouts drive me nuts! I don't want to work on my alt. I would much rather focus all of my attention on my main character.

And the vertical progression ends up making the game limited because who wants to do content for outdated and underleveled gear? Unless you're leveling. But even that is so quick and easy that anything you obtain while leveling can be tossed in a few days.